Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Mar. 3, 2025, at around 8 p.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the area of Vance Ave. and Pedro Ln. in Samoa observed a male subject walking along the roadway. The deputy contacted the subject, who falsely identified himself but was later identified as John Barton, 36, of Samoa. 

While conducting this investigation, the deputy observed Barton turn his body away and toss a plastic bag over the roadway barricade. The deputy subsequently recovered the bag and collected it for testing. The deputy confirmed with the Emergency Communications Center that Barton had two felony warrants for his arrest, a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest, and was on formal probation.

While the deputy waited for the records check to return, Barton stated that he was having difficulty breathing and fell to the ground. Medical personnel arrived on scene and Barton was transported to a local hospital. The deputy observed a second plastic bag on the ground near Barton and collected it for testing. 

The deputy tested the substances found in the bags and confirmed that Barton had 7.41g of methamphetamine in his possession.

Barton was then medically cleared by the hospital and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility to be booked for the following charges:

• Violation of probation—PC 1203.2(a)
• Giving a false ID to a police officer—PC 148.9(a)
• Possession of methamphetamine—H&S 11377(a)

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.